BOYS’ AND GIRLS’ AGRICULTURAL CLUBS.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 26 July 1924, Page 16

BOYS’ AND GIRLS’ AGRICULTURAL CLUBS.

«— ROOT GROWING- COMPETITIONS. JUDGES' REPORT. 1 niniodi :il ply following oil tlie completioii of tho work in the northern clivision, judging wns commenced in South i niannki, nnd finished in sufficient time to nr range for a display at the Hawera Vvinter Show. The season started with 164 entries from 21 schools, and finished \with 9S plots in 19 school district, two schools having failed to produce any plots worth the judges'" attention. It will be seen from the above that the proportion of failures is very heavv, and that the work in some school districts has been poor. It has to be admitted that, owing to the dry spell in South Taranaki, and the prevalence of insect pests, there was some difficulty in getting crops established early in the season, and a fairly large number of failures from this cause were reported to us when visiting the schools and plots during the course of the season. On the other hand, some school districts suffered very little in this respect, notably those situated further inland, where rain was more frequent during the sowing season.

The number of plots totally destroved or seriously damaged by stock this season is again very large," and in this connection in some school districts as many as five or six plots were passed over by the judges and not weighed. The proportion of losses from this source is so large this season that we are inclined to recommend that in future some form of guarantee that the plot shall be protected from damage is required before the entry can be accepted. Obviously the children cannot he held responsible for the trouble, but it should be the duty of parents and the local supervisors to see that plots are properly secured against invasion bv stock.

The position as regards local supervisors was very unsatisfactory this year, no proper appointments having been made, and consequently, apart from throwing more work on tire teachers than they should be expected to do, the judges experienced difficulty in some centres in organising plans for weighing the plots. In some districts, however, the work of local supervisors was voluntarily undertaken by members of ‘the school committees, and where this occurred interest was well maintained and good work done, and in this respect Rawhitiroa may be mentioned as an example. This school applied for thirteen plots, and at the end of the season presented to the judges for weighing seven mangold crops, which averaged 76 tons 17cwt., and six carrot crops, averaging 38 tons 4cwt. per acre. It will be seen that in this case not one plot was lost, and as regards the condition of the plots, the averages speak for themselves. Taking the district as a whole, the condition of the plots weighed, as regards cultivation, was an improvement on previous years. The mangolds showed good quality, there was no appearance of rot 'in tins crop, and in most cases the yields were good. The average yield for the 56 plots weighed is 69 tons Bewt. per acre, and the heaviest crop was 138 tons 13ewt. per acre, grown by Jean Miller, of Oeo.

The carrot crops, though promising well early in the season, were found to lie light, ami everywhere showed a fair amount, of rot. The 42 plots weighed averaged 32 tons Oewf. per acre. Heaviest crop. 58 tons lOewt., grown by Freda McNeill, .of Rawnitiroa School.

The average yields for the various groups are as follows:

Total number of plots weighed: Mangolds, 66; Carrots, 42. The competition for the championships resulted as follows: — Mangolds—Jean Miller, Oeo School: 13S tons 13cwt. per acre, 1; Olive Warner, Mntapu School, 127 tons 2ewt. per acre, 2; Bernard Taylor, Ngaere School, 108 tons lOcwt, per acre, 3. Carrots —Freda McNeil, Rawhitiroa, 58 tons lOewt., 1; Beatrice Oldfield, Okaiawa, 45 tons lOewt., 2; Alma Cornish, Toko, 42 tons lOcwt,, 3. The points for the best kept plot were awarded to Elliot Major, of Rawhitiroa. Town Blots. —These were not a success, n.s out of the nine plots supplied only t wo were weighed, one at Opunake and one at Manaia. Experience shows (hat plots sown in town lots and backyards have very little chance of success, especially where fowls are kept, and from this year’s results it would appear to be only a waste of time and material to continue with these town plots. A display of roots was put up at the Hawera Winter Show. The competitors exercised good judgment in selecting their exhibits for quality, and brought them in nicely cleaned and in good order for staging. Most of the plots weighed were represented, and the exhibit claimed the usual amount of interest from the public. In conclusion, a word or two of 1 hanks are due to the teachers for their valuable assistance in the work of liieso clubs throughout the season, and particularly during the judging of the plots. Tn.-mks are also due to turned out with their cars and took those gentlemen who in some districts the children around to see the plots weighed. A. J. GEARS ON, R. SYME, Judges. MANGOLDS. SOUTH TARANAKI CHAMPIONSHIP. Jean Miller, Oeo School: 138 tons 13cwt., 2344 points ' l Olive Warner, Matapu School: 127 tons 2cwt., 221 points 2 P.ernanl Taylor, Ngaere School: JOS tons lOewt., 2034 points 3 Best kept plot: Elliot Major, Rawhitiroa. GROUP I. Group Winners—Olive Warner, Matapu, 221 points, 1; George Dyson, Olialigni, 182 J points, 2; .Jane Keighley, Matnpu, J76J, 3. School Results. Olive Warner, Matapu—Yield, 127 tons 2ewt.; cultivation, 40; Quality, 7; chart, 47; total, 221. Jane Keighlev, Mntapu—S2 tons 15 ewt.; 39, 9, 46; total, 1762. Alex. Seed, Matnpu—S3 tons Sewt.; 38, 9, 44; total, 174:}. Sarah Keighlev, Matapu—7S tons 15 cwt.; 37, 9, 42; 1662Florrie Seed, Matapu—64 tons 12 cwt.; 38, 9, 47; 158-4. Flora Radford, Matapu—s4 tons 10 cwt.; 28, 7, 44; 1334.

, George Dyson. .Ohangai—9o tons 19 cwt.; 37, 9,.46; 1822. Joe Tlinga, Ohangai—73 tons 12cwt.: 30, 7, 48; 1641. G. Kerrisk, Ohangai—69 tons 2cwt.; 34, 8,. 49; IGO. P. Kerrisk, Ohangai—64 tons loewt.; 36, 8, 47; total loof. Thelma Goord, Fraser Road —SI tons 5c wt.; 38, 7, 44; 1702. Lyall Newell, Fraser Road —69 tons 2cwt.: 38, S, 39; 154. P. Hughes. Fraser Road—66 toils 4 cwt.; 37, 7, 40; 150. Group average, 70 tons 4ewt. per acre. GROUP IT. , Group Winners—Bernard Tavlor. Ngaere. 2031 points. 1; Elliott Major' Rawhitiroa, IS9, 2; R. Booten, Rnwhit'iroa, 1751, 3. School Results. E. Major, Rawhitiroa—Yield, 99 tons 3ewt.; cultivation, 40; quality 8chart, 42; total, ISO. IL Booten, Rawhitiroa—9o tons 10 cwt.; 35, 9, 41; 1751. E. Phillips. Rawhitiroa— 69 tons 5 cwt.; 37, 9. 41; 1551. H. Phillips, Rawhitiroa—67 tons 6 cwt.; 38, 8, 38; 1511. D. Cocker, Rawhitiroa—6s tons 17 cwt.; 23, 8, no chart. E. Cocker, Rawhitiroa—4B tons 10 ewt.; 22, 7, 38; 1151. E. Stockman, Rawhitiroa—94 tons 13ewt.; 35, 7, 37; 1731. _C. Plenty, Eltham—44 tons 7ewt.; 37, S, no chart. M. Walker, Eltham—2S tons 12cwt • 32, 8, 22; 901. • ■ J. Corbet, Eltham—34 tons 4cwt,; 33, S, 20; 95. (Three plots destroyed by stock.) C. Babbington, Finnertv Road —5S tons 16ewt.; 18, 6, no chart’. Claude Babbington, Finnertv Road — 50 tons loewt.; 18, 6, no chart. J. Suter, Finnertv Road—4l tons 2 ewt.; 37, 7, no chart. B. Taylor, Ngaere —108 tons 10ewt.; 40, 9, 46; 2031. C. Walker, Ngaere—so tons; 32, 7, no chart. S. Edwards. Ngaere—46 tons uewt.; 36, 8, no chart. Group average: 57 tons 13ewt. per acre. GROUP 111. Group Winners—Jean Miller, Oeo, 2341 points, 1; Elliot Oldfield, Okaiawa, 200, 2; Willie Dakers, Manaia, 1742, 3. School Results. Jean Miller, Oeo—l3S tons 13ewt.; cultivation, 40; quality, 8; chart 4Stotal, 2341. ’ Alf. Muggeridge, Oeo—4o tons 16 cwt.; 30, S, 20; 982. (Three plots destroyed by stock.) Willie Dakers, Manaia—Bs tons 16 cwt.; 40, 7, 42; 1742. Robert Hill Manaia—76 tons; 40, 9, 15; 140. (Four plots destroyed by stock and four others not worth weighing.) Lloyd Walker, Otakeho—6B tons 18 cwt,; 35, 8, 20; 131}. Jack Walker, Otakeho—s9 tons 15 ewt.; 32, 20; 1182J. Muggeridge, Auroa— 85 tons 10 cwt.; 38, 9, 20; 1522. B. Bradford, Auroa—42 tons 2cwt • 25, 6, 25; 93. Ray Shaw, Kapuni—66 tons lewt.; 35, 8, 34; 143. E. Smith, Kapuni—37 tons 15cwt.; 30. 7, 34; 108}. Margaret Webbv, .Riverlea—s7 tons 13ewt.; 40, 9, 41;'1471. E. Gargen, Riverlea—s7 tons 13cwt.; 37, S, 41; 1431. A. Gargen, Riverlea—62 tons 3cwt.; 36, 7, 38; 143. M. Voullnire, Riverlea —55 tons 12 cwt,; 36, 8, 39; 1381. -Thelma Gargen, Riverlea—s3 tons 13 cwt.; 35, 7, 38; 1331. Elliot Oldfield, Okaiawa—lo7 tons 3 cwt.; 40, 7, 46; 200. Dorothy Ward, Okaiawa—64 tons S cwt.; 38, 7, 491; 1582. Ethel Walker, Okaiawa-sHH tons 14 cwt.; 32, 7, 38; 1381. Elsie Ward, Okaiawa—s7 tons 17 cwt,; 34, 6, 46; 1432Erna Ward, Okaiawa—s6 tons 11 cwt.; 35, 6, 491; 1471. Eileen Perry, Okaiawa—47 tons 11 cwt.; 28, 6, no ehart. Joyee Rogers, Okaiawa—3s tons 7 cwt.; 40, 5, 40; 1204. Group average: 67 tons lewt. per acre. GROUP TV. Group Winners—Phillip Wake-An, Toko, 173 points, 1; Jack Iline,. Toko, 171, 2; E. Hughes, Toko, 153, 3. School Results. Phillip Wakelen, Toko—79 tons 1 cwt.: cultivation, 40; quality, 9; ehart, 45; total 173. ‘ Jack Hine, Toko —89 tons 16ewt.; 36, 8, 38; 1712. E. Hughes, Toko—6l tons 11 cwt,; 38, 6, 48; 1531. Group average: 76 tons 16ewt. per acre. CARROTS. SOUTH TARANAKI CHAMPIONSHIP. Freda McNeil, Rawhitiroa: 58 tons lOcwt., 1501 points .... 1 Beatrice Oldfield, Okaiawa: 45 tons lOcwt., 1431 points .... 2 Alma Cornish, Toko —42 tons 10 cwt., 1361 points 3 GROUP I. Group Winners—Jane Keighley, Matapu, 1331 points, 1; Jack Bolland, Tokaora, 1281, 2; Barton Bollaiul, Tokaora, 1241, 3. School Results. Jane Keighley, Matapu —Yield, 43 tons 1 lewt.; cultivation, 36; quality, 8; chart, 40; total, 1331. Sarah Keighley. Matapu—36 tons 3 cwt.: 30, s, 42; *122. 1 Rcss Bonnard, Normanhy—3l tons 3 cwt.; 32, 8, 25: 90. C. Clarke, Fraser Road —32 tons 2 cwt.; 30. 7, 38; 113. A. Davidson, Fraser Road —IS tons Gcwt.; 32, 0, 34; T 90*. .Jean Easton, Tawhiti —26 tons 10 cwt.; 36, 7, 35; 84 4. Jack Bolland, Tokaora —42 tons 10 cwt,; 36, S, 42; 1234. B. Bolland, Tokaora —43 tons 14cwt.; 36, 7, 38; 1241. J. Johnson, Tokaora —31 tons Gcwt.; 37, 7, 44; 119 R Una Glenn, Ohangai —27 tons 9ewt.; 37, 9, 49; 1221. R. Harding, Ohangai—27 tons; 36, 7, 40; 110. The latter crop was badly, damaged by stock. Group average: 32 tons 14cwt. per acre. GROUP IT. Group Winners—Freda McNeil, Rawhitiroa, 1501 points, 1; Phyllis Wood, Rawhitiroa, 129}, 2; L. Gernhoefer, Rawhitiroa, 129, 3. School Results. Freda McNeil, Rawhitiroa—sß tons

lOewt.; cultivation, 40; quality, S; chart, 44; total J.oOL H. Silver, Rawhitiroa—4l tons 1-1 cwt.; 40, 8, 39; 1285. L. Gernlioefer, Rawhitiroa—39' tons 4e\vt.; 40, S, 42; 129. Phvllis Wood, Rawhitiroa —34 tons 7ewt.; 40, 8, 47; 129]. Dulcie Stockman, Rawhitiroa—29 tons Bcwt.; 36, 9, 43; 117]. Dave Cocker. Rawhitiroa—27 tons; 23, 7, no chart. B. Tavlor, Ngaere—37 tons newt 40, 7, 38; 1224.

, -E.- UabbingUui, Fijilu'ily.,.Ro;ul—l2 tons 7cwt.; IS, S, no chart. Group averuge: 34 tons 19c wt. per acre. GROUP 111. Group Winners—Beatrice Oklfield, Okaiawa, 1431 points, 1: Elliot Oldfield, Okaiawa, 135}, 2; Ethel Walker, and Charles Rogers, Okaiawa, 128}, 3. School Results. Beatrice Oldfield, Okaiawa —45 tons lOewt.; cultivation 40; quality, 8; chart, 50; total 1431. E. Oldfield, Okaiawa —39 tons 17ewt.: 40, S, 4S; 1355-. Ethel Walker, Okaiawa —30 tons 0 ewt.; 38, 8, 46; 128-}. Chas. Rogers, Okaiawa —35 tons 7 ewt.; 40, 5, 48;; 128}. Jack Shera, Okaiawa —29 tons 14 ewt.; 31, 7, no chart. B. Gulliver, Kapuni—2S tons Scwt.; 32, 7, 34; 101}. Bert Cox, Kapuni—34 tons llewt.; 28, 7, 34; 103-1. Edna Bakers, Manaia —32 tons 15 ewt:.; 38, S, 46; 124 J. Guv Putt, Otakeho —38 tons llewt.; 25, 7, 15; 854. Linda Putt. Otakeho —23 tons 15ewt.; 20, 5, 15; 63}. Bettv Putt, Otakeho —27 tons 6cwt.; 20, 5, 15; 67}. Walter Todd, Otakeho —21 tons 17 ewt.; 15, 7, 15; 585. Ethel Hev, Riverlea —26 tons 16ewt.; 37, 9, 45; ' 117-}. C. Saddler, Riverlea—3l tons 19 ewt.; 40, 9, 32; 112}. S. Stables, Riverlea —28 tons sc wt.; 38, 9, 37; 112}. G. Barlow, Auroa —25 tons loewt.; 25, 6, 25; 81}. Group average: 31 tons 13c-wt. per acre. GROUP TV. Group Winners—Alma Cornish, Toko, 1364 points, 1; R. Clarridge, Toko, 121, 2; C. Clarridge, Toko, 1174, 3. School Results. Alma Cornish, Toko —42 tons llewt.; cultivation, 3S; qualitv, S; chart, 48; total, 1364. R. Clarridge, Toko —37 tons 2cwt.; 35, 7, 42; 121. C. Clarridge, Toko —35 tons 7cwt.; 34, 6, 42; 1174. Bettv Bocock, Toko—2B tons 18cwt.; 36, 7, 43; 114}. C. Reid, Toko—22 tons 16ewt.; 30, 6, 35; 93}. Ivan Divchall, Toko—l2 tons 17cwt.; 15, 6, 40; 73}. Group average; 29 tons ISowt. per acre. TOWN PLOTS. CARROTS. Roy Crocker, Opunake—43 tons 14 ewt.; cultivation, 35; qualitv, 7; chart, 5; 904. MANGOLDS. Roy Young, Manaia —44 tons 7ewt.; cultivation, 36; quality, S; no chart.

Group Mmig olds Carrots Ions fc\vt tons eivt, I. 70 4 02 14 II. 5 7 13 04 19 ITT. 01 1 01 10 IV. 70 10 29 IS